Call: 01392 678082

Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    27 Aug 2026

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment

    Geoff Davis has recently been working on another coastal caravan site with slope stability problems.On this site, Lewis Brown Chartered Land Surveyors used remote sensing (LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)) from a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to help understand the locations and magnitude of ground movements.Ruddlesden geotechnical then used GIS (Geographic Information System)  to highlight areas of concern, to quantify the degree of movement, which might have otherwise been missed.These technologies have been great in helping us understand the landslide processes at this site and, equally importantly, convey to others what is happening. However, they are of little use without a detailed understanding of the geological and geomorphological processes, which inform the all-important ground model, i.e. they should be seen as a useful tool to help us understand and communicate landslide processes, rather than a replacement for the understanding of them.

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment
    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment

  • Recent projects

    CPT Testing Used to Supplement Borehole Data

    Following an initial phase of geotechnical investigation, comprising cable percussive boreholes, cone penetration (CPT) testing was undertaken to obtain a greater resolution of data, to confirm the ground and groundwater conditions beneath the site. The testing caused minimal site disturbance, which was critical, as the site investigation works were being undertaken within the confines of a residential care home. The testing was also rapid, which allowed many locations to be undertaken within a day, meaning that any inconvenience caused to the residents was limited to a single day. Ruddlesden geotechnical commissioned an international contractor to undertake the testing and provided on site supervision and interpretation of the data, which was ultimately used to inform a foundation options appraisal.

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  • Recent projects

    Foundations Options Appraisal, Somerset

    The Somerset Levels typically comprise a thick sequence of Quaternary and Recent Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits, made up of layers of peat, clay, silt, sand and gravel, underlain by Triassic and Jurassic bedrock deposits. The cost-effective development of residential housing can be difficult in this area of the country, due to the deep Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits, often ranging between 10m and >20m in thickness, which sometimes results in piled foundations being the default foundation solution, which can often affect the viability of the project. The upper 1.5m-2.0m of the Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits often comprise desiccated clay soils and can, in some circumstances, provide a suitable founding stratum for shallow foundations. Conversely, for larger developments, ground improvement can also be considered to facilitate the use of shallow foundations, as a cost-effective alternative to piles. As part of a general ground investigation, Ruddlesden geotechnical have recently undertaken a foundation options appraisal in Weston-super-Mare for a proposed residential development, where all of the above were considered, to provide the most cost-effective solution for the developer. A mix of piled and strip/ trench-fill foundations were recommended, directly relating to the underlying geology.

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